Wednesday, 17 February 2016

Saturday, 13 February 2016

Our first garden
visit of the year will be to Easton Walled Gardens and Little Ponton Hall near Grantham
in Lincolnshire.

(Photograph by kind permission of Fred Cholmeley)

Easton Hall, home to the Cholmeley family for nearly 400 years, was demolished
in 1951 and the gardens abandoned. The family still own the estate and, in
2001, began the revival of the gardens. The remains you can see today include
parts of the Formal Gardens, the Gatehouse and the Stable yard. The gardens are
renowned for their winter display of snowdrops and aconites and for sweet peas
in the summer. The trust first visited in 2010. Easton Walled Garden is an RHS partner garden.

(Photograph by kind permission of Fred Cholmeley)

Little Ponton Hall and its gardens lie in the curve of the River Witham. The 18th century house, home to Mrs Rosemary
McCorquodale, is surrounded by immaculate lawns and spring flower -filled
borders. The 200 year old cedar tree looks beautiful set against the
architecture of the house. In the walled vegetable garden there are the
Victorian greenhouses full of exotic plants, and a listed dovecote. The most
recent project is the development of a herb garden.

(Photograph by kind permission of Gillian Rudman)

This is a magical, secret garden, rarely opened to the public and only for one weekend
in 2016. Adjoining the garden is the tiny village church dedicated to St. Guthlac.

In early spring, swathes of snowdrops
cover the river banks, and aconites form a yellow carpet along the path to the
church.

Garden visits planned for later this year include Croome Park (May 19) Renishaw Hall and Gardens (June 26) and Heath House and Trentham Gardens
(16 August).

First things first

.

Leicestershire and Rutland Gardens Trust

The Leicestershire and Rutland Gardens Trust are a voluntary organisation and a registered charity. The LRGT bring together people from all walks of life who are devoted to protecting our landscape, parks and gardens.

If you have ever felt inspired by a visit to a garden, or saddened by a neglected park you’ll know how important this is. So why not join our group of garden enthusiasts?

As a member you will be able to enjoy an interesting programme of garden visits and lectures as well as the opportunity to learn more about our garden heritage and how you can help to protect it for future generations.